Gillard anger over ‘small breasts, huge thighs’ jibe

Wednesday, June 12, 2013 - 01:13

June 12 - Australian Prime Minister Julie Gillard condemns a menu at an opposition party fundraiser as “grossly sexist”, after it featured a quail dish named after her that included the description ''small breasts and huge thighs''. Jessica Gray reports.

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WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS LANGUAGE THAT MAY BE OFFENSIVE
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard goes on the offensive over an insulting dinner menu at an opposition fundraising event.
It featured a quail dish named after her described as "small breasts, huge thighs" among other comments.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) AUSTRALIA'S PRIME MINISTER, JULIA GILLARD, SAYING:
"This grossly sexist and offensive menu. (WHITE FLASH IN BETWEEN BITES) This is Tony Abbott's Liberals. This is what they're like."
Her comments come ahead of a September election her party is predicted to lose, with Gillard claiming her opponents are trying to force women out of politics.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) AUSTRALIA'S PRIME MINISTER, JULIA GILLARD SAYING:
"On that day, 14 September, we are going to make a big decision as a nation. It's a decision about whether, once again, we will banish women's voices from the core of our nation's political life."
Opposition leader Tony Abbot quickly distanced himself from the insults.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) OPPOSITION LEADER TONY ABBOTT, SAYING:
"I condemn it, as Mal Brough has. I think we should all be bigger and better than that."
But not everyone feels as though Gillard herself is above criticism.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) OPPOSITION FINANCE SPOKESMAN, JOE HOCKEY, SAYING:
"We should treat each other with respect but please no sanctimonious lectures from Julia Gillard who described me as a fat man in parliament."
Gillard has often been the butt of sexist jokes from Australian politicians and media.
Although she scores well with women voters, Abott's pull with men will have a large impact on upcoming polls.